Raise the Hammer

Bay Observer Hits Newstands

By new you have probably seen the Bay Observer, a new weekly newspaper published by John Best.

Focusing mainly on Burlington and suburban Hamilton, the paper is a bit hard to find right downtown but can be purchased for a dollar at various locations in the west end and on the Mountain. It has a circulation of around 30,000 and some 30 retail outlets.

John Best explains that he sees the paper as "an additional voice in an increasingly media-concentrated milieu. Our focus, as much as we can, will be on finding a bit of the 'why' behind certain stories."

Currently the website is set up in a blog format, but Best plans to update the site "to make it more responsive." You can visit the website at: http://bayobserver.ca/.

I wouldn't go quite that far, myself. Alot of it is filler, and their well-intentioned attempt to bring Hamilton and Burlington together is a stretch to say the least, but I have to hand it to Peggy Chapman. I've been very impressed with her reporting, and the Stan Roscoe article in this week's edition was the best kind of story-telling. I hope the Spec is suitably embarrassed.

John Best is a wonderful self promoter but putting hamilton and Burlington in the same category is not realistic. I do not equate transparency, accountability , honesty and genuine talent with John best. Others yes ... John best no